‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody’ — 12 memorable Buhari quotes

Following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, many Nigerians have begun reflecting on some of his memorable words and speeches from his time during campaign and in office.

The Times of Abuja looked at some popular quotes which have caused public uproar and controversies made by the late president.

1. “We will treat them in the language they understand,” Buhari cautioned those he said were misbehaving and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) agitators. (June 2021)
2. “Change begins with me,” he said during the launching of the national re-orientation campaign in 2016
3. “I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody.”
4. “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.” (March 2015)
5. I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room. (October 2016)
6. I don’t get to listen to music, but I find time to rest.
7. “Any war waged on corruption should not be misconstrued as settling old scores or a witch‑hunt.” (Chatham House, London, February 2015.)
8. “On corruption, there will be no confusion as to where I stand. Corruption will have no place and the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration.” (Chatham House, London, February 2015)
9. “You are all my people; I will treat you all as mine.”
10. “Those who embezzle public funds should be ready to face the consequences.”
11. “Change does not happen overnight.”
12. “We know we are on the right path. Our journey is not finished, but we have come a long way.